CORAL GABLES — With just one day before the start of the NFL Draft, former Miami Hurricanes running back Lamar Miller took some time on his birthday Wednesday to answer some questions from his fans in an ESPN.com chat room. Here are some of the most interesting answers he provided:

— When asked what his plans were for the draft, Miller said he will spend it at his mom’s house.

“Some of my friends and family will be over, he said. “We’ll watch it, play dominoes and cards until I get that phone call.”

— One person asked Miller if the possibility of getting hurt next season was the main reason he opted to leave the University of Miami early. His response: “Not really. I know that running backs have a short lifespan. I think I put myself in a good position to get drafted. I just wanted to take my talents to the next level and live my dream.”

— In another part of the chat, Miller admitted that “strengthening my pass protection” is something he must improve at the NFL level. In order to do that, he wants to get bigger and stronger.

— Does Miller pay attention to all of the draft coverage?: “I really don’t read too much about it. Some of my friends talk to me about it, but I just stay focused on what I need to do. I watch the NFL Network some, but I don’t really pay attention to it.”

— When pressed to pick his favorite memory at UM, Miller didn’t pick a single moment.

“Hmmm…I would say just running out of that tunnel and hearing the crowd yelling and screaming,” he said.

— How much did it mean to Miller that he became Miami’s first 1,000-yard rusher last season since Willis McGahee did it in 2002?

“It was a blessing,” he said. “That was one of my goals that I put out before the season. I wanted to get 1,000 yards. That was something that I worked hard to get. It was a blessing to be one of the only running backs to do that at Miami.”

— And if you’re wondering what he will use his first NFL paycheck on, Miller said he thinks he’ll buy a car.